5 Beautiful Beaches In Mindanao

Are you looking for an easy beach getaway but tired of all the island hopping frenzy? You’ll be surprised to know that there are great beaches in Mindanao that you can visit even without having to put yourself on a boat!

All these beaches can be reached by land and are only a stone’s throw away from major Mindanaoan cities such as Davao, General Santos, Dipolog, Surigao, and Tandag. So if you’re planning a trip to the Land of Promise and thinking of including some beach destinations in your itinerary, then take a peek at some of these awesome beach spots that are conveniently scattered along the coast of mainland Mindanao.

Dahican BeachMati, Davao Oriental, Philippines

A popular surf spot in the bustling city of Mati in Davao Oriental, the phenomenal white waves of Dahican attract a good horde of surfers and skimboarders from across the country. With its location just a few minutes from Mati, it makes it an ideal hangout spot during weekends especially for vacationers coming from Davao.

Dahican Beach, Mati, Davao Oriental

If you’re not a surfer, you can just simply enjoy the relaxing view of the azure sky and the inviting turquoise sea that hugs Dahican’s long strip of fine golden sand. You can bring your own tent or hammock and position them under the shade of coconut trees.

Dahican Beach, Mati, Davao Oriental

You can pass time exchanging light conversations with friends and family while watching surfers perform their heart-pounding stunts. If the conditions are right, you can even try learning the exciting water sport yourself.

How To Get There

From Davao City Ecoland Terminal, ride a bus going to Mati. Travel time is around 4-5 hours and fare costs roughly ₱250 one-way. In downtown Mati, hire a habal-habal or tricycle to bring you to Dahican Beach.

Travel time is around 20 minutes and fare costs roughly ₱50 one-way.

Mabua BeachSurigao, Surigao del Norte, Philippines

If you’re tired of fine white sand beaches which are apparently everywhere in the country, why not break the norm and try experiencing something different?

In Barangay Mabua, a coastal suburb of Surigao City, a long stretch of naturally polished pebbles and cobbles lay gently along the shore. While violent Pacific waves pound the nearby island of Siargao, the sea along the western coast of Surigao Peninsula appears to be calmer.

Mabua Beach, Surigao, Surigao del Norte by John Marx Velasco

The water is clear and inviting, and every attempt to swim along the shallow portions feels like dipping on a giant pool furnished with smooth pebble flooring.

How To Get There

From downtown Surigao City, hire a tricycle to take you to Mabua Beach. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes and fare costs around ₱100.

Gumasa BeachGlan, Sarangani, Philippines

Now if you’d rather stick with the all-time favorite fine white sand beaches, then you can’t go wrong paying a visit to Sarangani’s famous Gumasa Beach.

Gumasa Beach, Glan, Sarangani

Situated in the town of Glan on the eastern section of Sarangani, Gumasa Beach is only a short 1-hour ride from Gensan and dubbed as the “Boracay of Mindanao.”

Gumasa Beach, Glan, Sarangani by Cocoy Sexcion

Sauntering along its fine powdery beach, it definitely feels like a slice of Boracay; complete with the spotless turquoise-colored sea and the lengthy strip of white sand that gently grace the shores. Spanning more than a kilometer, it accommodates hundreds to a few thousand people when the Sarangani Bay Festival is held during May.

How To Get There

From downtown Gensan, ride a habal-habal or tricycle to the van terminal located beside KCC Mall. Take the van going to the town of Glan (travel time: 1 hour, fare: ₱80). From the stop in Glan, it takes roughly 15 minutes to reach Gumasa Beach by hiring a habal-habal (₱50).

Dakak BeachDapitan, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines

A longtime favorite for many beach goers, the nationally acclaimed Dakak Beach Resort maintains world-class services that when it comes to pampering its visitors, the classic hangout remains top of the rank.

It’s true that people head their way to Dapitan not only to step back in time tracking Jose Rizal’s exiled life. They also come seeking a a quiet spot to relax and meditate. When in the historic town, Dakak Beach might just be the perfect choice.

Dakak Beach, Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte by Zoom Morales

A forested flat-topped limestone hill rising at the edge of a modest white sand beach adds to the resort’s trademark serene atmosphere. And for one to fully appreciate the wonderful landscape, a series of concrete stairs were built on the hillside leading to a viewdeck. Here, a commanding panorama of the beach, the surrounding mountains, and the tranquil cove welcomes every hiker.

How To Get There

Dakak Beach is a private beach where a day trip costs ₱1,000 inclusive of one sumptuous lunch and access to the resort’s swimming pools and topnotch amenities. From Dipolog Bus Terminal, find the bus going to Dapitan. The trip takes about 30 minutes and costs ₱20. From Dapitan proper, hire a habal-habal to take you to Dakak Beach Resort. It takes about 30 minutes and fare costs around ₱100 one-way.

White BeachCagwait, Surigao del Sur, Philippines

The horseshoe-shaped White Beach in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur is rapidly gaining popularity among locals and tourists. Owe it to the fine texture of the sand and the sparkling turquoise waters hugging its shores.

Resorts and guesthouses are sprouting like mushrooms, taking advantage of the increasing number of regular visitors as the news of this beach’s astonishing beauty spreads quickly.

White Beach, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur by Joemar Taer

Going durring the off-season definitely assures a quieter getaway, leaving one plenty of opportunities to unwind and feel the solitude this side of Mindanao has to offer.

How To Get There

From Butuan City Bus Terminal, take the bus going to Tandag — the capital of Surigao del Sur. Tell the driver to drop you off at the junction going to Cagwait Beach. Travel time is about 4hrs and fare costs around ₱250. From the junction, hire a habal-habal or tricycle to Cagwait Beach for ₱15, 10mins.

If coming from Cebu, take a direct flight to Tandag via Cebu Pacific Air.

From Tandag, transfer to a van or jeepney heading to Cagwait Junction. Travel time is about 1.5 hours and fare costs around ₱30. From the junction, hire a habal-habal or tricycle to Cagwait Beach.